Jared Joyner In Semi-Truck Accident on Interstate 15 near Cajon Pass

SAN BERNARDINO (July 16, 2013) – A horrific crash involving a tractor trailer semi truck and a Nissan towing a toy trailer occurred on Tuesday night at about 6:40 p.m. The traffic collision resulted in the fatality of Jared Joyner, a passenger in the Nissan. Joyner, a boy of 7 years from Escondido, was seriously injured and airlifted by helicopter ambulance to the hospital for emergency treatment.

The collision occurred on the Interstate 15 south of Cleghorn Road in the Cajon Pass and the investigation to the collision temporarily shut down both directions on the Interstate. Traffic backed up fro miles, prompting waiting motorists to make dangerousmaneuvers to exit the freeway illegally Three others were seriously injured in the collision and are in serious condition. The helicopter ambulance arrived to the scene of the collision at 7:20 p.m. to transport Jared Joyner to the hospital. Tragically, he eventually succumbed to his injuries and died.

Lanes reopened at 7:45 p.m., however, the San Bernardino police continued to investigate.

The Cajon Pass is a dangerous stretch of highway, with steep grades, high winds and slippery roads during colder weather. It is a common road taken by truckers and police will investigate the cause of the collision. Among the facts to gather are whether drugs or alcohol played a role int he collision and whether the semi-truck driver complied with all rules and regulations that govern truck drivers. Among these are rules that dictate how many hours of sleep truck drivers should get each day and limits to the number of hours they may drive each day.

Violations of the rules increase the likelihood of accidents and in the case of big rig trucks, the accidents tend to be of greater magnitude. Frequently, they will involved a fatality. Many truckers will forge their time cards and sleep logs in an effort to driver longer hours and earn more money. However, trucks are fitted with on board computer black boxers that will record their driving time, idle times and engine shut-off times. This data must be preserved.

Condolences to the family of Jared Joyner for his early, tragic, unnecessary and wrongful death.